Novel pregnanoic acid derivatives

ABSTRACT

Pregnanoic acid derivatives of the formula   WHEREIN X is hydrogen, halogen, or methyl; Y is hydrogen or halogen; Z is hydroxy or halogen having an atomic weight no greater than Y; R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen, alkali metal or saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 1-18 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, halo, alkoxy, carboxy, carbalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, nitro or sulfate, wherein alkyl in each instance contains 1-4 carbon atoms; and -A-B- is -CH CH-; -CCl CH- or, when at least one of X, Y and R1 is other than hydrogen, -CH2-CH2; possess pronounced topical anti-inflammatory activity.

United States Patent [191 Laurent et al.

[ Sept. 16, 1975 NOVEL PREGNANOIC ACID DERIVATIVES [73] Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin and Bergkamen, Germany 22 Filed: Apr. 9, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 459,412

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 284,7l0, Aug. 30, 1972, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl. 424/243; 260/397.l; 260/397.45 [51] Int. Cl. A61K 17/00 [58] Field of Search 260/397.l; 424/243 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,824,260 7/]974 Laurent et a]. 260/397.l

Primary ExaminerElbert L. Roberts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Millen, Raptes & White 57 1 ABSTRACT Pregnanoic acid derivatives of the formula wherein X is hydrogen, halogen, or methyl; Y is hydrogen or halogen; Z is hydroxy or halogen having an atomic weight no greater than Y; R is hydrogen or methyl; R is hydrogen, alkali metal or saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of 1-18 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy, halo, alkoxy, carboxy, carbalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, nitro or sulfate, whereinalkyl in each instance contains 1-4 carbon atoms; and A--B is CH CH CCl= CH or, when at least one of X, Y and R is other than hydrogen, -CH2CH possess pronounced topical anti-inflammatory activity.

63 Claims, No Drawings NOVEL IREGNANOIC ACID DERIVATIVES This is a division of application Ser. No. 284,710, filed Aug. 30, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,824,260.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to novel pregnanoic acid derivatives.

One of us, with others, has published the isolation of 6oz-fluoro-l l B-ol-3 ,20-dioxo-l 6a-methyl-pregnal ,4- dien-ZI-acid (Compound I) as a water-soluble metabolite of fluocortolone in humans. E. Gerhards et aL, Acta Endrocrinologica, 68 (1971) 98-126. The preparation of the ethyl ester thereof for characterization purposes was also reported in that publication.

We have found that these compounds and structurally related compounds as defined hereinafter possess valuable pharmacological activity and that they can be prepared synthetically by the methods described hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, this invention relates to novel compounds of the general Formula I COOR wherein X is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a methyl group; Y is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; Z is a hydroxy group or a halogen atom having an atomic weight no greater than Y; R, is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R is a hydrogen atom, an alkalimetal atom, or a hydrocarbon group, which optionally can be substituted; and -A-B is -CI-I=CH-, -CCl-CH or, when at least one of X, Y and R is other than a hydrogen atom, CI-I CH with the proviso that R, is hydrogen when X is fluoro, Y is hydrogen, Z is hydroxy, -AB is CH=CH and R2 is hydrogen or ethyl.

In another aspect, thisinvention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, especially pharmaceutical compositions adapted for topical application, comprising one or more of the novel compounds of this invention, or 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyll ,4- pregnadien-Zl-oic acid or the ethyl ester thereof.

In a further aspect, this invention relates to novel processes for the production of these compounds.

In a method of use aspect, this invention relates to the treatment topically of inflammatory conditions.

DETAILED DISCUSSION Of the compounds of Formula I, preferred subclasses are those wherein:

la. R is alkyl of 1-l2 carbon atoms, preferably l-8 carbon atoms;

lb. X is fluoro, especially those of la;

Ic. Y is hydrogen, especially those of la and lb;

Id. Z is hydroxy, especially those of la, Ib and Ic;

Ie. -AB is CH=CI-I-, especially those of la,

Ib, Ic and Id; If. R is methyl, especially those of la, Ib, lc, Id and le. Other preferred sub-classes are those wherein R is sodium or potassium when R is alkali-metal, or alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms when R is alkyl; and Y and Z are both chloro or Y is fluoro and Z is hydroxy.

Because activity resides in the pregnanoic acid steroidal structure, esters of the free acid also possess the utility of the free acid and its salts. Thus, COOR can also represent an ester group.

For example, R can be any hydrocarbon group of l-l 8, preferably l-l 2, carbon atoms: The hydrocarbon group can be aliphatic, e.g., alkyl, or cycloaliphatic, preferably monocyclic, and can be saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted; aryl; aralkyl; or alkaryl.

Examples of saturated aliphatic R groups are alkyl of 1-l2, preferably l-8, more preferably l-4 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and tert.-butyl. Examples of unsaturated aliphatic are vinyl, allyl, propenyl, propynyl, butenyl and butyryl.

Examples of cycloalkyl are those containing 3-12, perferably 5 or 6 ring carbon atoms, e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl and p-dicyclohexyl.

Examples of aryl are mono and dicyclic of up to 12 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, a-naphthyl and ,B-naphthyl and p-diphenyl.

Examples of alkaryl are tolyl, xylyl, ethylphenyl and symdiethylphenyl. Examples of aralkyl are benzyl, phenethyl, a-phenylpropyl and diphenylmethyl.

In addition or alternatively to being unsaturated, when R is hydrocarbon the hydrocarbon group can bear 1,2,3 or more simple substituents, preferably one, since such substituents ordinarily do not affect the overall activity of the parent pregnanoic acid. Examples of such simple substituents are hydroxy, halo, e.g., C1 or F, N0 sulfate and alkali-metal salts thereof, amido, lower-alkoxy, i.e., containing l-4 carbon atoms, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy and text-butoxy group; carboxy, the alkali-metal, e.g., sodium and potassium salts thereof and lower-alkyl esters thereof, e.g., carbomethoxy, carboethoxy; amino groups and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, e.g., primary amino, monoand dilower-alkylamino, e.g., methylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, diethylamino, methyl, ethylamino, propylamino, butylamino and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof.

The acid addition salts are preferably those of the strong mineral acids, e.g., hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates and phosphates, and the polybasic or hydroxy acids, e.g., oxalates, maleates, citrates and tartrates and any other pharmaceutically acceptable acid.

Examples of preferred R groups are methyl, carboxymethyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, Z-methoxyethyl, Z-aminoethyl, Z-dimethylaminoethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, propyl, allyl, cyclopropyl, isopropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, propynyl, 3-aminopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert.-butyl, 2-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, tert.-pentyl, Z-methylbutyl,

COOR

CHOH

wherein AB, X, Y, Z, R and R have the values given for Formula I and the 20-hydroxy group is in the a-position or ,B-position, or mixture thereof, is oxidized in an inert solvent with manganese (IV) oxide, lead (IV) oxide, or lead (IV) acetate. Optionally thereafter, a thus-produced compound of Formula I is converted to another compound of Formula I, e.g., a A -steroid is optionally dehydrogenated chemically or microbiologically to a A -steroid in a manner known per se; a 2-deschloro-steroid is converted in a conventional manner into a 2-chloro-steroid; a 9a-hydrogen steroid is converted in a conventional manner into a 9oz-halo-, i.e., 9aF, 9aCl-, 90z-Br or 9a-I, steroid; an ester of general Formula I (R =hydrocarbon) is saponified; or a free acid of general Formula I (R 2H) is esterified; or

b. converting an ester of the general Formula III CODE 3 employed for oxidations in steroid chemistry. suitable are hydrocarbons, including cyclohexane, benzene, toluene and xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons, including methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethylene and chlorobenzene; including diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dibutyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, glycol dimethyl ether and anisole; ketones, including acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and acetophenone; and alcohols, including methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and tert.-butanol; and mixtures of these solvents.

The process of this invention according to method (a) can be conducted using manganese (IV) oxide, lead (IV) oxide or lead (IV) acetate. In order to obtain high yields in this method, active manganese (IV) oxide is preferably employed, as is customary in steroid chemistry in connection with oxidation reactions.

The oxidation according to method (a) is preferably effected at a reaction temperature of between 0 and C. Thus, it is possible, for example, to oxidize the compounds of general Formula II at room temperature or at the boiling temperature of the solvent employed.

The configuration of the 20-hydroxy group of the starting compounds of general Formula II is of no significance in the process of this invention. Therefore, both the ZOa-hydroxy steroids of general Formula II and the ZOB-hydroxy steroids of general Formula II, including mixtures thereof, can be oxidized in the same manner in the process of this invention into the pregnanoic acid derivatives of the general Formula I.

It is surprising that it is possible to oxidize the 20- hydroxy group of the compounds of general Formula II to the 20-keto group with the aforementioned oxidation agents and that, during the oxidation of the lla,20-dihydroxy steroids of general Formula II, the ZO-hydroxy group can be selectively oxidized.

Following the procedure of method (a), e.g., as described in Example 1 hereinafter, the published compound ethyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l loz-hydroxy-3,20- diketo-la-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is produced by the reaction of 6a-fluoro-l l B,2l-dihydroxyl6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and cuprous acetate in ethanol, followed by oxidation with manganese oxide.

' The saponification of the 2l-esters of Formula I (R=hydrocarbon) which optionally follows method (a) can be conducted in accordance with conventional techniques, for example, by saponification of the esters in water or an, aqueous alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst, e.g., hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid, or in the presence of a basic catalyst, e.g., potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.

The csterification of the free acids of Formula I (R =.I-I) which optionally follows method (a) is likewise conducted by conventional techniques. Thus, the free acids can be reacted, for example, with diazomethane or diazoethane, producing the corresponding methyl and ethyl ester, respecitvely. A generally applicable method is the reaction of the free acids with an alcohol in the presence of carbonyl diimidazole, dicyclohexyl carbodiimide or trifluoroacetic acid anhydride. Also, the acids can be converted to the silver salts thereof and the latter reacted with an alkyl halogenide.

Another method of producing the esters of Formula I is by converting the free acids into the corresponding acid alkyl esters with the corresponding dimethylformamide alkyl acetals. The free acids can also be reacted, in the presence of a strongly acidic catalyst, e.g., hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, trifluormethylsulfonic acid or p-toluene'sulfonic acid, with an alcohol or with a lower-alkanecarboxylic acid ester of the alcohol selected. The free carboxylic acids can also be converted into their acid chloride or acid anhydride, and to react the latter in the presence of basic catalysts with the alcohols.

The salts of the carboxylic acids of Formula I are produced, for example, during the basic catalyzed saponification of the esters or during the neutralization of the acids employing an alkali carbonate or alkali hydroxide, e.g., sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or potassium hydroxide.

The process of this invention according to method (b) is conducted by reacting the esters of general Formula III with the desired alcohol of the Fomlula R OH in the presence of a preferably anhydrous, basic catalyst.

Preferred basic catalysts employed herein are alkali, alkaline earth and aluminum alcoholates. Method- (b) is preferably conducted at a reaction temperature of between 0 and 180 C. During this reaction, the alcohol is employed in excess, preferably, -1000 mols of alcohol per mol of steroid. The alcohol optionally can be diluted with an inert solvent, e.g., ethers, including di-n-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and glycol dimethyl ether; or dipolar aprotic solvents, e.g., dimethylformamide, N-methylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, Nmethylpyrrolidone acetonitrile. This variation of the reaction is conducted in such a manner that preferably less than 1 mol of basic catalyst is utilized, per

mol of steroid, more preferably, 0.0001 to 0.5 mol of basic catalyst per mol of steroid.

As esters of Formula III for the process of method (b) lower alkyl esters are preferably used, e.g., the methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl 0. butyl ester of the pregnanoic acids.

It is surprising that the esters of Formula III can be reacted with alcohols in the presence of basic catalysts under mild conditions. Method (b) has the advantage that, starting with an ester of pregnanoic acid obtained as the primary product, it is possible to produce in a very simple manner, without previous saponification, a great variety of esters of this pregnanoic acid.

Examples of the compounds which can be prepared in accordance with the process of this invention are:

l l,B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-4-pregene-2 l oic acid;

oa-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-S ,ZO-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-

pregnadiene-Z l -oic acid;

1 lB-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo-6a, l 6a-dimethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid;

6a,9ozdifluorol l B-hydroxy3,20-dioxo- 1 6amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid;

6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l l ,8-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6amethyl 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid;

6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6amethyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid;

6oz-fluoro-9a,l lB-dichloro-3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid;

6a, 1 l B-difluoro-9a-chloro-3 ,ZO-dioxol out-methyll,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic. acid; and the sodium and potassium salts and the methyl, ethyl, aminocthyl, 2-methoxyethyl', propyl, propenyl, 3- hydroxypropyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec.- butyl, tert.-butyl, amyl, isoamyl, Z-methylbutyl, cyclopentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, heptyl, benzyl, menthyl, octyl, and decyl esters of each of these acids.

The anti-inflammatory effectiveness upon local application can be determined on the rat ear according to the method of Tonelli, as follows:

The compound to be tested is dissolved in an irritant consisting of 4 parts of pyridine, 1 part of distilled water, 5 parts of ether, and 10 parts of a 4 percent strength ethereal croton oil solution. Felt strips attached to the insides of an object-slide pincette are saturated with this testing solution and pressed under a slight pressure for 15 seconds to the right ear of male rats weighing -160 g. The left ear remains untreated and serves as comparison. Three hours after application, the animals are sacrificed, and circular sections of a size of 9 mm. are punched out of their ears. The weight difference between the disk of the right ear and that of the left ear is a measure of the thus-formed edema. The dose of test substance is determined at which no edema is formed. From this dose the relative 5O effectiveness of the compounds is determined in com- Aclds parison to the effectiveness of 6a-fluoro-l 15,21- 1 l,Bhydroxy-3,20-dioxol ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic dihydroxyl 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione id; (fluocortolone), as shown in Table I below.

TABLE I Rat Ear Test No. Compound Relative Effectiveness Compared to Fluocortolone l Methyl ester of oa-fluoro-l lBhydroxy-Ii,20

dioxn-l6a-methyl-l .4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid 0.6 II Butyl ester of a fluoro-l lBhyroxy-3,20

Y dioxo-l6a methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid 1.3 III Methyl ester of 6afluoro-2-chloro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo l a-methyll ,4 pregnadiene-2 l oic acid 0.8 IV lsobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l 1B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxol fia-methyll ,4-prcgnadiene 2loic acid l.2 V Butyl ester of 6a,] lfi-difluoro-Qa-chlorol lB-hydroxy-3,20dioxo- I (Ea-methyl l ,4-

prcgnadicne-Z l oic acid TABLE I -C ntinued Rat Ear Test No. Compound Relative Effectiveness Compared to Fluocortolone Vl Butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9oz,l lB-dichloro-3,20-

dioxol 6rx-methyll ,4'pregnadiene2 l -oic acid 2.0

Comparable results are obtained when determining the local antiphlogistic effectiveness on humans in the vasoconstriction test.

On the backs of persons volunteering for the experiment, the stratum corneum was split up by the application and tearing off of an adhesive tape, done times at the same spot, and thus a pronounced hyperemia was produced. Within the stripped area, to marked zones of a size of 4 cm respectively 50 mg. of an ointment is applied containing respectively 0.1 percent or 0.01 percent of the experimental substance or of the reference substance in a water-oil base. One, 2, 3 and 4 hours after application, the extent of vasoconstriction is determined. The results of such testing are shown in Table ll. In this test, the comparison substance employed is 6 fluoro-l 1,3,2l-dihydroxy-l6 -methyl-l ,4- pregnadiene-3,20-dione(fluoro-cortolone). This substance, as is known, is among the most effective antiinflammatory substances presently available commercially.

The control animals are treated in the same manner, except that they are injected with a benzyl benzoate castor oil mixture in the absence of any test compound.

From the paw volumes determined, the edemainhibitory effect, expressed as a percentage, is calculated in the usual manner.

methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l,B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid;

butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-llB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxola-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid;

methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-llB-hydroxy- TABLE II Vasoconstriction Test Con- No. Compound centra- Observation After tion (Hours) Com- Fluocortolone O.l 7k 5 100 pari- SOn 0.0l 0 2O 35 50 l Methyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 0.1 5 3O 60 l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 6amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l 0.0l 0 2O 30 40 oic acid ll Butyl ester of a-fluoro-l 13- 0.1 10 4O hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-l 6amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic 0.01 7: 10 4O 75 8O acid Moreover, the compounds of general Formula 1 sur- 3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic prisingly exhibit properties which have never hereto- 50 acid; fore been observed in corticoids of anti-inflammatory cyclohexyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l1B-hydroxy-3,20-

effectiveness according to the known state of the art. It has been found that the tested compounds are entirely lacking in systemic activity, as demonstrated by the pharmacological investigations described below:

SPF rats [specific-pathogen free rats] weighing l30l50 g. are injected in the right hind paw, for producing a center of inflammation, with 0.1 ml. of a 0.5 percent Mycobacterium butyricum suspension (obtainable from the US. company Difco). Prior to injection, the paw volume of the rats is measured. Twenty-four hours after the injection, the paw volume is measured once again to determine the extent of the edema. Thereafter, the selected amount of the test compound, dissolved in a mixture of 29 percent benzyl benzoate and 71 percent castor oil, is subcutaneously administered to the rats by injection. After another 24 hours, the paw volume is again determined.

group and are subcutaneously injected over a period of respectively 3 days with a selected amount of a solution of the test compound dissolved in a mixture of 29 percent benzyl benzoate and 71 percent castor oil. On the fourth day, the animals are sacrificed and the weight of the thymus thereof is determined. The control animals are treated in the same manner, but receive a benzyl benzoate-castor oil mixture in the absence of any test compound. From the thus-obtained thymus weights, the thymolytic effect, expressed in percentages, is calculated in the usual manner.

The comparison compound employed again is 611- fluorol l 3,21 -dihydroxyl 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione, which effects an approximately 35 percent thymolysis at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg of body weight.

When conducting these experiments again with 0.3 mg., 1.0 mg., 3.0 mg., or 10 mg. per kg. of body weight of the following compounds:

methyl ester, butyl ester, and cyclohexyl ester of 60:-

fluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4- pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid;

methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oi acid;

methyl ester and ethyl ester of 6a,9a-difluoro-l 1B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene- 2l-oic acid;

methyl ester and isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9achloro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 6a'methyl-l ,4- pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid, a 0 percent thymolytic effect is obtained in all cases.

The fact that the compounds of the general Formula l do not possess any systemic side effects can also be proven with the aid of the cosinophile test, the glycogen test and the sodium-potassium retention test.

Thus, the compounds of this invention which possess topically excellent anti-inflammatory effectiveness but which are systemically inactive. Therefore, these compounds are effective for the treatment of skin inflammations, but, for unknown reasons, they are entirely ineffective once they have entered the bloodstream.

The corticoids employed heretofore for treatment of skin inflammations always exhibit a systemic effect in addition to a topical, effect. These corticoids, even when administered topically, can, due to adsorption through the inflamed skin or as a consequence of injuries to the skin, enter into the bloodstream where they affect the body functions in a great variety of ways as hormone-active substances.

This disadvantage is nonexistent in the compounds of the present invention which, although topically effecx (in) CH OH tive, are ineffective systemically. Therefore, they are substantially more suitable for the local treatment of inflammations than the known corticoids. Consequently, these substances can be utilized topically without any misgivings even in case of such persons, c.g., infants, pregnant women and diabetics, where the topical treatment with conventional corticoids should be avoided in view of the systemic side effect.

The novel compounds, in combination with the excipients customary in galenic pharmacy, are suitable for the local treatment of Contact dermatitis, eczemas of a great variety of types, neurodermatitis, erythrodermia, burns, pruritus vulvae et ani, rosacea, erythematodes cutaneus, psoriasis, lichen ruber planus et verrucosus and similar skin disorders.

The preparation of the specialty drugs is conducted in the usual manner by bringing the effective agents, with the use of suitable additives, into the desired form of application, such as, for exampleJsolutions, lotions, ointments, creams, aerosols and plasters. In the thusformulated drugs, the concentration of effective agent is dependent on the form of administrationJA concentration of the selected effective agent of 0.001 to l percent is preferably employed, e. g., in case of lotions and ointments.

The topically effective, but systemically ineffective compounds of this invention, in addition to being used as drugs, can also be utilized forthe preparation of cosmetic substances in combination with the customary vehicles and scenting compounds. The A -steroids, 9adeshalo-steroids, and 2-deschloro-steroids of the general Formula I are also useful as intermediates.

By conventional methods, for example, by treating the -steroids with 2,3-dichloro-5 ,6- dicyanobenzoquinone, selenium dioxide, or by the fermentation of these compounds with A- dehydrogenating microorganisms, such as, for example, Bacillus lentus or Arthrobacter simplex, the A steroids can be dehydrogenated to the corresponding A -steroids, the 2-deschloro-compounds can be converted into the corresponding 2-chloro-compounds, for example, according to the processes described in Belgian Patent No. 749,422; and the 9a-halo-steroids can be produced from the corresponding 9a-hydrogen steroids in a conventional manner, for example, according to the processes described in Belgian Patent No. 749,422.

The starting compounds for the process of this invention, which are novel, can readily be produced in a simple manner, e.g., as shown schematically below:

COOR' wherein AB, X, Y, Z, and R have the same meanings as indicated in Formula 11, and R is alkyl.

This reaction can be conducted as follows: Compound III is dissolved in the alcohol R OH. The solution is mixed with copper (ll) acetate and agitated for several days at room temperature. Then, the mixture is mixed with aqueous ammonia; extracted, for example with methylene chloride; the organic phase is washed with water; dried; and concentrated under vacuum. A crude product is obtained, consisting of a mixture of the 20a and 20B -hydroxy steroids. This mixture can be employed without further purification as a starting product for the process of this invention.

The starting compounds of method (a) of Formula also possess valuable pharmacological activity, more particularly they possess an antiinflammatory effectiveness upon local and upon systemic application. But the starting compounds of method (a) of Formula II have the disadvantage that they cause thymolytic, glucogenic and mineral corticoid side effects.

The esters of general Formula 11 can be saponified, with methanolic sodium hydroxide solution, to the corresponding carboxylic acids.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description,

utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The following preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

EXAMPLE 1 a. A solution of 11.3 g. of 6a-fluoro-l 13,21- dihydroxy-16amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione in 500 ml. of absolute methanol is mixed with 3.0 g. of copper(ll) acetate in 500 ml. of absolute methanol. The solution is agitated at room temperature for 170 hours, then clarified by filtration, and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is mixed with percent ammonium hydroxide solution and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic phase is washed several times with water, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed on 1.3 kg. of silica gel. After recrystallization from acetone-hexane, with 67 percent acetonemethylene chloride, 1.40 g. of the methyl ester of 6afluoro-l l B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-1 6a-methyl-l ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 19 1-192 C. [11],, 0 (chloroform). UV: e 15,700 (methanol).

With 8-10 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after recrystallizing twice from acetone-hexane, 2.9 g. of the l6amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 128130C. [a] =+22 (chloroform). UV: e 15,200 (methanol).

b. 2.1 g. of a mixture of the methyl ester of a-fluorol 1B,2Oa -dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadi ene-2l-oic acid and the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 1B,2OB -dihydroxy-3-oxo-1 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is dissolved in ml. of methylene chloride. The solution is mixed with 20 g. of active manganese(IV) oxide (precipitation-active for synthesis purposes" by Merek A.G.) and refluxed for 6 hours. Then, the reaction mixture is filtered off from the manganese(IV) oxide. The filtrate is evaporated and the residue is recrystallized from acetone-hexane,

thus obtaining 450 mg. of the methyl ester of6a-fluorol 1B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16a-methy1-1,4-pregnadiene- 21-oic acid, m.p. 182184 C. [01],, 144 (chloroform). UV: 6 17,000 (methanol).

c. A solution of 250 mg. of the methyl ester of 6afluoro-l 1B,2Oa -dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyl-1 ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid in 3 ml. of methylene chloride is mixed with 2.5 g. of active manganese(IV) oxide and stirred for 45 minutes at room temperature. The manganese(IV) oxide is removed by filtration, the filtrate is evaporated to dryness, and the residue is recrystallized from acetone-hexane, thus producing 145 mg. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid, m.p. 188 C. [ct],, 147 (chloroform). UV: 16,900 (methanol).

d. 4.3 g. of methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 113,203,. dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid is dissolved, with the addition of 50 g. of active manganese(IV) oxide, in 50 ml. of isopropanol. The reaction mixture is agitated at room temperature for 25 hours and filtered off from the manganese-(1V) oxide. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is recrystallized twice from hexane-acetone. Yield: 1.3 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1/3-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid, m.p. 189l9l C. [61],; 145 (chloroform). UV: e 17,000 (methanol).

EXAMPLE 2 A solution of 5.0 g. of 6oz-fluoro-l1B,21-dihydroxy- 16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione in 250 ml. of absolute methanol is mixed with 5.0 g. of copper(ll) acetate in 750 ml. of absolute methanol, and the mixture is agitated at room temperature for 60 hours. The solvent is evaporated, the residue is mixed with 200 ml. of methylene chloride and 250 g. of active manganese(lV) oxide, and the mixture is shaken at room temperature for 24 hours. After filtration, the reaction mixture is concentrated, and the residue is chromatographed on 250 g. of silica gel. With 68 percent acetone-methylene chloride, one obtains, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 1.47 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l IB-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-1 ,4- pregnadiene-2l-oic acid, m.p. 19019l C. [01],, 145 (chloroform). UV: 5 16,600 (methanol).

EXAMPLE 3 A solution of 950 mg. of the methyl ester of 6afluoro- 1 1 B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid in 10 ml. of methanol is mixed with 2 ml. of 2N NaOH and allowed to stand under argon for 1 hour at room temperature. The solution is diluted with 100 ml. of water and extracted with methylene chloride. The aqueous phase is brought to a pH of 3-4 with 1N HCl, and again extracted with methylene chloride. The extract is dried with sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum at 20 C. The crude product is taken up in a small amount of ethyl acetate and made to crystallize at 30 C. Yield: 238 mg. of 6(x-fluoro- 1 1 B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 16a-methy1-1 ,4-pregnadiene- 21-oic acid, m.p. 228-230 C. (under decomposition). [oz],, l (pyridine). UV: 6 16,400 (methanol).

EXAMPLE 4 a. 6.0 g. of 6a-fluoro-l lB,21-dihydroxy-16a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione is allowed to stand in 180 ml. of n-butanol for 8 days with 1.6 g. of copper(II) acetate. The reaction mixture is worked up analogously to Example 1(a). The crude product is chromatographed on 350 g. of silica gel. With 9-1 1 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 960 mg. of the butyl ester of 6afluoro- 1 1 B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-1 6a-methyl- 1 ,4- pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained, m.p. l44-145 C. [01],, 3.4 (chloroform). UV: 6 15,700 (methanol).

With 1 1-13 percent acetone-methylene chloride, 1 .9 g. of a mixture is eluted of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 1 B,20oz -dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 6a-methy1- l ,4-pregnadiene-21-0ic acid and the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 1 B,20B -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.

With 13-15 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 1.71 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 1B,20B -dihydroxy-3- oxo-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is produced, m.p. 176177 C. [011 12 (chloroform). UV: 6 15,800.

b. 3.0 g. of a mixture of the butyl ester of 6oz-flu oro- 1 1 ,8,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid and the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 1B,20B -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is reacted with manganese(lV) oxide under the conditions set forth in Example l(b). The crude product is chromatographed on 125 g. of silica gel. With 8-10 percent acetone-hexane, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 1.02 g. of the butyl ester of a-fluoro-l 1 B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-1 6a-methyl-l ,4- pregnadiene-21-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 187-188 C. [04],, -1 141 (chloroform). UV: 5 17,100 (methanol).

EXAMPLE 5 a. A mixture of 8.2 g. of 6a-fluoro-9oz-chloro-l 15,21- dihydroxy-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 200 ml. of isobutanol, and 4.1 g. of copper(II) acetate is heated on a steam bath for 53 hours and worked up as described in Example 1(a). The crude product is chromatographed on 400 g. of silica gel. With 6-7 percent acetone-methyle'ne chloride, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 1.00 g. of the isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l 1B,20a -dihydroxy-3- oxo-l60z-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is produced, m.p. 189 C. [a],, 48 (dioxane). UV: e 15,000 (methanol).

With 8-10 percent methylene chloride-acetone, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 2.1 g. of the isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l 1,8,20B dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 215-216 C. [04], 39 (dioxane). UV: E 14,800 (methanol).

b. 4.25 g. of a mixture of the isobutyl ester of 6afluoro-9achloro1 1B,2Oa -dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 6amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and the isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-11B,20/3 -dihydroxy-3- oxo-loa-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is dissolved in 40 ml. of methylene chloride and mixed with 100 g. of active manganese(1V) oxide. After 6v hours of agitation, the reaction mixture is filtered off from the manganese-(1V) oxide. After evaporation of the solvent and recrystallizing twice from acetone-hexane, 2.14 g. of the isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chlorol 1/3-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16a-methy1-1,4-pregnadiene- 2l-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 206-208 C. [04],, 149 (dioxane). UV: 6 16,800 (methanol).

EXAMPLE 6 a. 16.0 g. of 6a,9a-difluoro-11,8,21-dihydroxy-l6ozmethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, 8 g. of copper(II) acetate, and 1000 ml. of methanol are reacted as set forth in Example 5(a), worked up, and chromatographed. With 6-8 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after a one-time recrystallization from hexaneacetone, 1.1 g. of the methyl ester of 6a,9a-difluorol 1B,2Oa -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16oz-methy1-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is produced, m.p. 174 C. [oz],, 21 (dioxane). UV: 6 16,400 (methanol).

With 9-1 1 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 5.3 g. of the methyl ester of 60,9oz-diflu0ro-l 1B,20B -dihydroxy-3- oxo-16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l oic acid is obtained, m.p. 236 C. [11],, 17 (dioxane). UV: e 16,900 (methanol).

b. 12.1 g. of a mixture of the methyl ester of 6a,9adifluoro-l 1 ,8,2Oa -dihydroxy-3-oxo- 16a-methyl- 1 ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid and the methyl ester of 601,904- difluoro-l 1B,20,8 -dihydroxy-3-oxo-160z-methyl- 1 ,4- pregnadiene21-oic acid is mixed with 200 m1. of acetone, 200 ml of methylene chloride, and 350 g. of active manganese(IV) oxide. After 3 hours of agitation, the mixture is filtered off from the manganese(1V) oxide, the solvent is evaporated, and the crude product is recrystallized twice from acetone-hexane, thus obtaining 5.1 g. of the methyl ester of 611,901-difluor0-1 1B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 60z-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 oic acid, m.p. 207-208 C. [01],, 128 (dioxane). UV: 6 17,100 (methanol).

EXAMPLE 7 a. 16.0 g. of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-llB,21-dihydroxyloa-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione is refluxed with 8.0 g. of copper(II) acetate in 800 ml. of methanol for 50 hours. The reaction mixture is worked up as described in Example 1(a). The crude product is chromatographed on 1.2 kg. of silica gel. With 8-9 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 550 mg. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro- 1 1B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 6amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 230-232 C. [01],, -1.4 (chloroform). UV: 5 14,800 (methanol).

With 10-13 percent acetone-methylene chloride, 10.5 g. is eluted of a mixture of the methyl ester of 6afluoro-2-c hloro-l 1,8,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l 1 B,20,B,dihydroxy-3- oxo-1,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid as a viscous, colorless oil.

With 13-14 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 1.12 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-1 13,203,?- dihydroxy-3-oxo-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is produced, m.p. 21 1212 C. [01],, 13 (chloroform). UV: 6 14,800 (methanol).

b. 10.5 g. of a mixture of the methyl ester of 6afluoro-2-chloro- 1 1B,20oz dihydroXy-30xo-16amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid and the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l1B,20B dihydroxy-3- oxo-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is dissolved in 60 ml. of methylene chloride and oxidized at room temperature with 150 g. of active manganese(IV) oxide. After filtering off the manganese(lV) oxide and evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is recrystallized twice from acetone-hexane, thus obtaining 1.08 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l 1B- hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo- 1 fia-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 oic acid, m.p. 208 C. [a],, 108 (dioxane). UV: 6 15,300 (methanol).

EXAMPLE 8 a. 5.0 g. of 6a-fluoro-l 13,21-dihydroxy-16a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione is mixed with 250 ml. of isopropanol and 2.5 g. of copper(ll) acetate. The mixture is refluxed for 6 hours and worked up as set forth in Example 1(a). The crude product is chromatographed on 250 g. of silica gel. With 7-9 percent acetone-methylene chloride, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 309 mg. of the isopropyl ester of 60:- fluoro- 1 1 B,20a dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 6a-methyl-1 ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 183184 C. [04],, 8.5 (chloroform). UV: 6 15,400 (methanol).

With -12 percent acetone-methylene chloride,

EXAMPLE 9 a. Under the reaction conditions described in Example 1(a), but using isoamyl alcohol as the solvent, a mixture of the isoamyl ester of 6a-fluoro-11B,20a,-- dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid and the isoamyl ester of 6a-fluoro-11B,2OB, dihydroxy-3-oxo-l6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is produced from 6oz-fluoro-l1,8,21-dihydroxyl6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-3 ,20-dione.

b. 9.9 g. of the thus-obtained mixture is converted, under the conditions described in Example 1(b), into 4.0 g. of the isoamyl ester of 60z-fluoro-1lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid, m.p. 189l90 C. [01],, 134 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 10 a. Under the reaction conditions described in Example 1(a), but using tert.-butanol as the solvent, 9.8 g. of a mixture of the tert.-butyl ester of 6a-fluoro 1 1,B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-1a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and the tert.-butyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 1B,20B dihydroxy-3-oxo-1 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained from g. of 6a-fluoro- 1 1,8,21-dihydroxy-16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20- dione.

b. The thus-obtained mixture is converted, as set forth in Example 1(b), into the tert.-butyl ester of 60:- fluoro-l 1B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-l6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid. Yield: 3.16 g. (from hexaneacetone). Melting point: l176 C. [a],, 127 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 1 1 a. Under the reaction conditions described in Example 1(a), but utilizing ethanol as the solvent, 6.1 g. of a mixture of the ethyl ester of 604,901-difluoro- 1 1B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and the ethyl ester of 6a,9a-difluoro- 1 1 B,2OB -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is obtained from 8.6 g. of 6a,9adifluoro-l 13,21-dihydroxy-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

b. 4.3 g. of the thus-obtained mixture is converted, as described in Example 1(b), into the ethyl ester of 60:,9- a-difluoro-l 1B-hydroxy-3 ,20-di0xo-16a-methyl-l ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid. The crude product is recrystallized twice from hexane-acetone, yielding 1.02 g. of the pure product, m.p. 205206 C. [04],, 126 (dioxane).

EXAMPLE 12 a. Under the reaction conditions set forth in Example 4(a), a mixture of 6oz,9a-difluoro-l 1 B,20a -dihydroxy- 3-oxo-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid butyl ester and 60,9a-difluoro-1 1B,20,B -dihydroxy-3-oxo- 16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene21-oic acid butyl ester is produced from 6a,9a-difluoro-1 1/3,21-dihydroxy-l60zmethyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-3 ,20-dione.

b. The thus-obtained mixture is converted, as described in Example 4(b), into the butyl ester of 602,902- difiuoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16oz-methy1-1 ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid. m.p. l92 C. [11],, 1 122 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 1 3 a. Under the reaction conditions described in Example 1(a), 15.4 g. of a mixture of the methyl ester of 6afluoro-9a-chl0ro-1 l,B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid and the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-1 1B,20,B -dihydroxy-3- oxo-l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained from 16.0 g. of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l 1B,21- dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadie ne-3 ,20-dione.

b. 12.9 g. of the thus-obtained mixture is converted, as described in Example 1(b), into 5.40 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l1B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 16oz-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid, m.p. 226-228 C. [04],, 154 (dioxane).

EXAMPLE 14 a. Under the reaction conditions set forth in Example 4(a), a mixture of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9-chloro- 1 1 B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid and the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9- chloro- 1 1 B,20B -dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 a-methyl- 1 ,4 pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid is produced from 8.0 g. of 6afluoro-9-chloro-l 1B,21-dihydroxy-16a-methyl-1 ,4- pregnadiene3,20-dione.

b. 5.3 g. of the thus-obtained mixture is converted, as set out in Example 4(b), into 1.1 l g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16w methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid, m.p. 181-182 C. [oz],, 148 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 15 a. Under the reaction conditions set forth in Example 1(a), but using cyclohexanol as the solvent, a mixture of the cyclohexyl ester of llB,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo- 6a,16a-dimethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and the cyclohexyl ester of 1 l,8,2OB -dihydroxy-3-oxo-6a,16adimethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained from 1 1 6,2 1-dihydroxy-6a,1 6a-dimethyll ,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione.

b. The thus-produced mixture is converted, as described in Example l(b), into the cyclohexyl ester of 1 l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-6a,l 6a-dimethyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid. m.p. 258260 C. [04],, 130 (dioxane).

EXAMPLE 16 a. Under the reaction conditions set forth in Example 1(a), 12.3 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a,1 1,8- dichloro-20B -hydroxy-3*oxol 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid, m.p. 217-219 C., is obtained after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, from 19.8 g. of 6a-fluoro-9a,1 lB-dichloro-Zl-hydroxyJ6amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

b. The thus-produced compound is converted, as disclosed in Example l(b), into 6.4 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a,l lB-dichloro-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid, m.p. 2l8220 C. [41],, 165 (dioxane).

EXAMPLE 17 a. Under the reaction conditions described in Example 1(a), 12.1 g. of the methyl ester of 601,1 lfl-difluoro- 9a-chloro-20B -hydroxy-3 oxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid, m.p. 246247 C., is obtained from 18.1 g. of 611,1lB-difluoro-9a-chlor-2l-hydroxyl6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione after recrystallization from hexane-acetone.

b. The thus-obtained product is converted, as set forth in Example l(b), into 4.5 g. of the methyl ester of 6a,1 l B-difluoro-9a-chloro-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid, m.p. 238239 C- [04],, 136 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE l8 Ointment Composition:

EXAMPLE l9 Ointment Composition:

0.01 g. Butyl ester of 6wfluoro-1lB-hydroxy-3,20-

dioxol 6amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid 5.00 g. White wax DAB 6 5.00 g. Lanolin, anhydrous DAB 6 20.00 g. Vaseline, white DAB 6 25.00 g. Amphocerin K Dehydag 14.97 g. Paraffin oil, liquid DAB 6 30.00 g. Water, desalted v 0.02 g. Crematest perfume oil No. 6580 Dragee EXAMPLE 20 Composition for Eye Drops (Oily):

100 mg. of the isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chlorol l ,B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 60z-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is dissolved in 100 ml. of castor oil. 7 v

After the addition of 200 mg. of chloramphenicol (or another bacteriostatic agent), the solutionis filtered under sterile conditions and aseptically bottled.

EXAMPLE 21 Composition for Eardrops:

100 mg. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1B- hydroxy-3 ,ZO-dioxol6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l oic acid is dissolved in 1,2-propylene glycol/ethyl alcohol (9:1 The solution is prepared in a quantity of 100 ml., and 200 mg. of chloramphenicol is added thereto.

EXAMPLE 22 50 mg. of 6a-fluoro-l1B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is dissolved in 3 ml. of methylene chloride and mixed with 3 ml. of ethereal diazomethane solution. After 10 minutes, acetic acid is added dropwise, until the yellow coloring has disappeared; then, the solvent is evaporated under vacuum. The residue is recrystallized from acetonehexane. Yield: 38 mg. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluorol lB-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo- I 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene- 2l-oic acid, m.p. l89l90 C.

EXAMPLE 23 500 mg. of 6a-fluoro-l l,B-hydroxy 3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is dissolved in 100 ml. of absolute ether, and mixed with 7 ml. of butanol and 1.5 ml. of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide. After 18 hours of agitation at room temperature, the reaction mixture is vacuum-filtered from the thus-precipitated dicyclohexyl urea. The filtrate is concentrated, and the crude product is chromatographed on silica gel. With 9-1 1 percent acetone-hexane, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 25 6 mg. of the butyl ester of 6afluoro-l 1B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid is obtained, m.p. ll87 C.

EXAMPLE 24 5.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro1l,B-hydroxy-.

3,20-dioxol oa-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid is dissolved in 300 ml. of absolute methanol and mixed with 250 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate. The mixture is refluxed under an argon atmosphere for 1 hour. The reaction product is precipitated with 1 percent acetic acid, and the precipitate is vacuum-filtered. The crystalline crude product is. taken up in ml. of methylene chloride, washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, and the solution is dried with sodium sulfate and freed of the solvent under vacuum. By recrystallization of the crude product from acetonehexane, 2.20 g. of the ethyl ester of 6a-fluoro-11B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l oic acid is obtained, m.p. 183 C. [a] 143 (chloro: form).

EXAMPLE 25 5.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-11B-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxo-16B-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid is dissolved in 180 ml. of anhydrous isopropyl alcohol, and 150 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate is added thereto. The solution is heated to the boiling point for 19 hours under an argon atmosphere. The reaction product is precipitated with 3 l. of ice water containing 2 ml. of glacial acetic acid. The precipitateis filtered off, taken up in 100 m1. of methylene chloride, and the organic phase is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and with water. The solution is dried with sodium sulfate, and, after evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is chromatographed on 500 g. of silica gel with acetone-hexane; after recrystalliziation from hexane-acetone, 1.72 g. of the isopropyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 1 B-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl- 1 ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 223 C. [11],, 140 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 26 1.0 g. of the methyl ester of 6a,11B-difluoro-9- chloro-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is dissolved in 50ml. of n-butanol and mixed,

EXAMPLE 27 5.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l1B-hydroxy- 3,20-diox'o-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is reacted, as described in Example 24, with n-propan ol and worked up. After recrystallization from acetonehexane, 2.07 g. of the propyl ester of 6a-f1uoro-11'B- hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo-16a-methy1-l,4-pregnadiene-21- oic acid is produced, m.p. 180 C. [01],, 140 (chloroform).

' EXAMPLE 28 400 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate is added to a solution of 4.6 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 1B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxo'-16a-methyl-l ,4preg'nadiene-2 1- oic acid in 300 ml. of sec.-butanol. The reaction mixture is heated under an argon atmosphere for 18 hours to 80 C., then diluted with 300 ml. of methylene chloride, and the solution is washed successively with 1 percent acetic acid and with water. After drying with sodium sulfate and evaporation of the solvent, the crude product is recrystallized twice from acetonehexane,

thus obtaining 1.35 g. of the sec-butyl ester of 60a fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20'-dioxo-l 6a-methyl- 1 ,4 pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid, m.p. 21 1 C. [111 138 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 29 5.0 g. of the isobutyl ester of6a-fluoro-1 1B-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo l 6a-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene- 2l-oic acid is dissolved in 250 ml. of isopentanol and mixed with 250 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate. The solution is heated for 1 hour to 100 C. under argon, then diluted with an equal volume of methylene chloride, washed with 1 percent acetic acid and water, and the organic solution is dried with sodium sulfate and the solvents are distilled off under vacuum. The crude product is chromatographed with hexane-acetone on 500 g. of silica gel and recrystallized from acetonehexane, thus obtaining 1.92 g. of the isopentyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-1 1B-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-

preghadiene-Zl-oic acid, m.p'. 192 C. [04 chloroform). I

EXAMPLE 30 9.9 g. of the methyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-1 l B-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid is dissolved in 250 m1. of isopentanol and mixed with 200 mg. of aluminum isopropylate. The mixture is heated to 100 C. for 8 hours under an argon atomsphere, diluted with'250 ml. of methylene chloride, and washed with 1 percent acetic acid and with water. The solution is dried with sodium sulfate and freed of the solvents under vacuum. After recrystallizing the crude product twice from acetone-hexane, 4.0 g. of the ispentyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1,Bhydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-1,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid is obtained, m.p. 191 C. [01],, 134 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 3 1 100 mg. of potassium tert.-buty1ate is added to a solution of 1.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 1B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16a-methy1-1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 1- Ole acid in 100 ml. of absolute methanol, and the mixture is refluxed under argon for 1 hour. The mixture is precipitated with 10 times the amount of ice water, the precipitate is vacuum-filtered, taken up in methylene chloride, and the solution is washed with 1 percent acetic acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and with water. After drying with sodium sulfate, the reaction mixture is freed of the solvent under vacuum, and the crude product is recrystallized from acetonehexane, thus obtaining 570 mg. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 1B-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl-1 ,4- pregnadiene-2l oic acid, m.p. 190 C. [11],, (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 32 4.8 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l1/3-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is dissolved in m1. of isobutanol and mixed with 250 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate. The mixture is heated under argon to 90 C. for 18 hours and then worked up, as described in Example 29. The crude product is twice recrystallized from acetone-hexane, thus obtaining 1.60 g. of the isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 IB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid, m.p..185186 C. [a],, 130 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 33 1.8 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a,1 1,8- dichloro3 ,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-21 oic acid is dissolved in 1 10 ml. of n-butanol and mixed with 200 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate. The reaction mixture is heated for 1 hour under argon to 100 C. and worked up, as described in Example 29. The crude product is chromatographed on 250 g. of silica gel with acetone-hexane, thus obtaining 1.54 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a,1 1B-dichloro-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid, melting at 147 C. after recrystallization from acetone-hexane. [11],, (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 34 5.0 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 1Bhydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is added to a solution of 100 mg. of sodium in 100 ml. of n-decanol. The reaction mixture is heated for 28 hours at 100 C., mixed with 300 ml. of methylene chloride, and washed with 1 percent acetic acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and water. After drying with sodium sulfate, the methylene chloride is first distilled off under vacuum, and then the decanol is removed under a high vacuum. The crude product is chromatographed on 500 g. -of silica gel with acetone hexane, thus obtaining 3.9 g. of the decyl ester of 6afluoro-l l ,6 hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo- 1 6oz-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid, melting at 93.5 C. after recrystallization from acetone-hexane. [01],, 117 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 35 700 mg. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro- 1 lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene- 2l-oic acid is dissolved, under heating, in 60 ml. of nbutanol and, after cooling, mixed with 20 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate. The solution is agitated for 2 hours under argon at room temperature, diluted with methylene chloride, and further worked up as described in- Example 29. Upon chromatographing the mixture on 250 g. of silica gel, with acetone-hexane, 610 mg. of the butyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-9a-chloro-l1B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is obtained. After recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 465 mg. of product is obtained, melting at l80.8 C. under decomposition. [01],, 150 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 36 1.8 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l IB-hydroxy- 3,20dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid is mixed with 30 ml. of 2-pt'openl-ol, mg. of hydroquinone, and 100 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate and heated under argon for 18 hours to 100 C. The reaction mixture is worked up as indicated in Example 31 and chromatographed on 250 g. of silica gel with acetone-hexane, thus producing 1.2 g. of the 2'-propeny1 ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-l6amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid. After recrystallizing once from acetone-hexane, 340 mg. remains, melting at 159 C. [11],, 142 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 37 EXAMPLE 38 5.0 g. of the methyl ester of 60z-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is mixed with 30 ml. of octanol and 250 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate and heated to 100 C. for 48 hours.

The reaction product is worked up as described in Example 29, thus producing 3.9 g. of the octyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1B-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo-1 6a-methyl- 1,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid as a viscous oil. [01],, 124 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 39 1.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxo-1 a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is mixed with 20 ml. of 2-propyl-1-ol and 100 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate and agitated for 24 hours at room temperature.

The mixture is worked up as described in Example 25, thus obtaining 280 mg. of the 2' -propynyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl- 1 ,4- pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid, m.p. 179-182 C. [01],, 152 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 40 4.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is mixed with ml. of benzyl alcohol and mg. of potassium tert.-butylate and heated under argon for 28 hours to 100 C.

The reaction mixture is worked up as set out in Example 29, thus obtaining 810 mg. of the benzyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l ,8-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyll ,4- pregnadiene-2l-oic acid, m.p. 213 C. [0:] 25 127 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 41 1.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is mixed with 15 m1. of (-)(S)2-methyl- 1 -butanol and 25 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate and heated for 25 hours to 100 C.

The reaction mixture is worked up as described in Example 29, thus obtaining 240 mg. of the 2(S)- methylbutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid, m.p. 177 C. [11],, 132 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 42 1.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-1lB-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is mixed with 25 ml. of anhydrous 1,3-propanediol and 100 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate and heated for 3 hours to 100 C.

The reaction mixture is worked up as described in Example 25, thus producing 510 mg. of the 3- hydroxypropyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l1,8-hydroxy3,20- dioxo- 1 oa-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid, m.p. 1301 3 1 C. [11],, (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 43 1.0 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l 1,8- hydroxy-3 ,ZO-dioxol 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-21- oic acid is mixed with 10 g. of menthol and 100 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate and heated for 18 hours to 120 C.

Thereafter, the reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is taken up in methylene chloride, the methylene chloride phase is washed and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is purified by chromatography over a silica gel column with hexaneacetone, thus producing 730 mg. of the menthyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l 1 B-hydroxy-B ,20-dixo-16amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid as an amorphous powder. [01],, 86 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 44 1.0 g. of 6a-fiuoro-l 1B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16ozmethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is dissolved in 200 ml. of absolute ether, and the solution is mixed with 14 ml. of ethanol and 3.0 ml. of dicyclohexyl carbodiimide.

The reaction mixture is agitated for 18 hours at room temperature, filtered, the filtrate is concentrated under vacuum, and the crude product is purified by chromatography over a silica gel column with hexane-acetone, thus obtaining 620 mg. of 6a-fluoro-1 1B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo-l 6oz-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid ethyl ester, m.p. 182-183 C. [01],, 143 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 45 a. 16.0 g. of 6a-fluoro-11,8,21-dihydroxy-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione is reacted with hexanol under the conditions described in Example 1(a); a mixture of the hexyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 1B,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-l 6a-methy1- l ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and the hexyl ester of 6a-fluorol lB,20/3 -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid is produced.

b. 2.5 g. of the thus-obtained mixture is oxidized and worked up as set forth in Example 1(b), thus producing 1.8 g. of the hexyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-l 1 B-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid as an oil. [01],, 135 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 46 a. 10.5 g. of 60z-fluoro-l 1,8,2l-dihydroxy-l6w methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione is reacted with cyclohexanol under the conditions disclosed in Example 1(a), thus obtaining a mixture of the cyclohexyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 13,21a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16amethyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and the cyclohexyl ester of 6a-fluor0-l 1,8,21 ,B 'dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 6a-methyl- 1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.

b. 5.1 g. of this mixture is oxidized as described in Example 1(b), thus producing 1.35 g. of the cyclohexyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-1 lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid, mp. 25 8260 C. [11],, 130 (dioxane).

EXAMPLE 47 EXAMPLE 48 a. A solution of 5.0 g. of 6a-fluoro-1 13,21- dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-4-pregnene-3,20-dione in 250 ml. of butanol is mixed with 5.0 g. of copper (I1) acetate in 750 ml. of butanol, and the mixture is agitated for 60 hours at room temperature. Then, the reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness under vacuun, thus obtaining a mixture of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 l B.,20a -dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-4-pregnene- 21-oic acid and the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 1fi,2Ofl dihydroxy-3-oxo-16a-methyl-4-pregnene-2l-oic acid.

b. The thus-produced mixture is mixed, without any further purification, with 200 ml. of methylene chloride and 250 g. of active manganese (IV) oxide, and shaken for 24 hours at room temperature. Then, the manganese (IV) oxide is filtered off, the'organic phase is washed with water, dilute hydrochloric acid, and water, dried with magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under vacuum, thus obtaining 2.63 g. of the butyl ester of 6afiuoro- 1 1 B-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo-1 6a-methyl-4- pregnene-2l-oic acid as the crude product.

c. 2.00 g. of the thus-obtained crude product is mixed with 3.00 g. of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanobenzoquinone and 60 ml. of absolute benzene, and the mixture is refluxed for 24 hours. Then, the reaction mixture is allowed to cool, filtered, and concentrated to dryness under vacuum. The residue is chromatographed over a silica gel column by means of a hexane-acetone gradient, resulting in 584 mg. ofthe butyl ester of 6a-fluoro- 1 lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol oz-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene- 2l-oic acid m.p. 145.5 C.

EXAMPLE 49 1.0 g. of the methyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-1 l ,B-hydroxy 3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is dissolved in 10 ml. of tetrahydrofuran and 10 ml. of methylene chloride, mixed with 2 g. of N- chlorosuccinimide and 2 ml. of dioxane saturated with hydrogen chloride, and stored for 20 minutes at room temperature. Then, the reaction mixture is poured into water, the thus-separated product is extracted with chloroform, and the chloroform phase is concentrated to dryness under vacuum.

The residue is dissolved in 10 ml. of pyridine, and the solution is heated for 2 hours to 60 C. and then poured into 1N aqueous hydrochloric acid. The mixture is extracted with methylene chloride, the methylene chloride phase is washed and concentrated under vacuun. The crude product is chromatographed over 100 g. of silica gel by means of a hexane'acetone gradient, thus obtaining, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, 385 mg. of the methyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-2chloro'1 1 B- hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l oic acid, m.p. 208 C.

EXAMPLE 50 a. 3.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fiuoro-1 1 B-hydroxy- 3,20- dioxo-l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is mixed with 5.0 ml. of dimethylformamide, 1 ml. of pyridine, and 1.5 ml. of rnethanesulfonic acid chloride, and heated for 1 hour under argon to 80 C. Then, the reaction mixture is poured into acidified ice water, the thusseparated product is filtered off, washed with water, dried under vacuum at 60 C., and in this way, 2.15 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-3,20-dioxo-l6a-methyl- 1,4,9( 1 1 )-pregnatriene-2l-oic acid is obtained as the crude product.

b. A mixture of 1.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro 3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-l ,4,9( l 1 )-pregnatriene-2 1 -oic acid, 40 ml. of dioxane, 10 m1. of water, 4.0 g. of N- chlorosuccinimide, and 4 ml. of percent perchloric acid is agitated for 1 hour at room temperature.

EXAMPLE 51 a. 2.0 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro- 1 l l3-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene- 2l-oic acid is mixed with 50 ml. of butanol and 2.5 g. of potassium acetate, and the mixture is refluxed for 2 hours.

Then, the mixture is mixed, after cooling, with 100 ml. of chloroform, the chloroform phase is washed with water and concentrated to dryness under vacuum, thus producing 1.62 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9ozchloro-9,l l B-epoxy-3,20-dioxo-l 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid as the crude product.

b. The thus-obtained cmde product is introduced into a mixture of 5.0 ml. of dimethylformamide and 5.0 ml. of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid which has been cooled to -50C., and stored for 4 days at room temperature.

Thereafter, the mixture is poured into 500 ml. of 10 percent aqueous potassium bicarbonate solution, extracted with methylene chloride, the methylene chloride phase is concentrated under vacuum, and the residue is purified by chromatography over a silica gel column, thus obtaining 380 mg. of the butyl ester of 601,9- a-difluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-1 6a-methyl-l ,4- pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid.

EXAMPLE 52 0.5 g. of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-3,20-dioxo-l6amethyl-1,4,9(1 l )-pregnatriene-21-oic acid is introduced into a mixture, cooled to 50 C., of 1.0 ml. of anhydrous hydrofluoric acid, 1.5 ml. of tetrahydrofuran, and 2 ml. of methylene chloride; the mixture is mixed with 2.0 g. of N-chlorosuccinimide and allowed to stand for 16 hours at C. Then, the reaction mixture is worked up as described in Example 51(b), thus obtaining l 16 mg. of the butyl ester of 6a,] lB-difluoro- 9a-chl0ro-3 ,20-dioxo-1 6a-methyl-l ,4pregnadiene-2 loic acid, m.p. 151 C.

EXAMPLE 53 3,0 g. of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is dissolved in 200 ml. n-pentanol and mixed with 150 mg. of potassium tert.-butylate. The mixture is refluxed under an argon atmosphere for 1 hour.

The reaction product is precipitated with a solution of 1 percent acetic acid in water, and the precipitate is vacuum-filtered, taken up in 100 ml. of methylene chloride, washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, and the solution is dried with sodium sulfate and freed of the solvent under vacuum. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel with acetone-hexane; after recristallization from hexane-acetone 2,06 g of the n-pentyl ester of 6a-fluorol 1,8-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol a-methyl l ,4-pregnadiene- 21 oic acid is obtained, m.p. l52l53 C. [a],, 132 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 54 1,5 g of the methyl ester of Ga-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid is reacted, as described in Example 53, with 2,2- dimethyl-propanol and worked up. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel and recristallized from acetone-hexane. 608 mg of the 2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1/3-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained. m.p. 187l89"- C. [a],, 128 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 55 2,0' g of the methyl ester of Got-fluoro-l IB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is reacted, as described in Example 53, with cyclopropylmethyl-alcohol and worked up. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel and recristallized from acetone-hexane. 1,54 g of the cyclopropyl-methyl ester of 6a-fiuor0-l 1 B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyll ,4- pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid is obtained. m.p. l92l 93 C. [04],, 139 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 56 1,0 g of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo-l6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is reacted, as described in Example 41, with (i)-2-methyl-butan-l-ol and worked up.

The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel, recristallized from acetone-hexane and 448 mg of the (t)-2-methylbutyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid is obtained. m.p. 177 C. [01],, 136.

EXAMPLE 57 a. 107,0 g of 9a-fluoro-l1,8,17a,2l-trihydroxy-l6amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione are dissolved in 2000 ml of acetic acid and mixed with 10,0 g of zinc acetate. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 4 hours. The reaction product is precipitated with water and the precipitate is vacuum-filtered. The crude product is taken up in methylene chloride, washed with satured sodium bicarbonate solution and water, and the solution is dried with sodium sulfate and freed of the solvent under vacuum. 1 12,0 g of a mixture of 9a-fluoro- 1 1,8,20-dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 6a-methyl-l ,4,1 7(20 pregnatriene-Zl-al and z-fluoro-1 lB-hydroxy-ZO- acetoxy-3-oxol 6a-methyll ,4, l 7( 20)-pregnatriene- 21-al is obtained.

b. 108.0 g of the mixture of the aldehydes is dissolved in 300 ml methanol and mixed with a solution of 15,0 g potassium hydroxyde in 30 ml of water. The reaction mixture is refluxed for 90 minutes under an argon atmosphere and concentrated under vacuum. The residue is acidified with 4n sulfuric acid, and extracted with methylene chloride. The organic phase is washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried with sodium sulfate and freed from the solvent under vacuum 52,0 g of a mixture of 9a-fluorol lB,20a,-dihydroxy-3-oxo- 1 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid and 9a-fluorol lB,20/3,dihydroxy-3- oxo-16a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene2l-oic acid is obtained.

c. 36,0 g of the mixture of the carboxylic acids is dissolved in 200 ml methanol cooled to 0 C and 1000 ml of an ethereal diazomethane solution are added in several portions. The mixture is allowed to stand for l hour at room temperature, then acetic acid is added dropwise, until the yellow coloring has disappeared.

Then the reaction mixture is evaporated under vacuum EXAMPLE 58 1,87 g of the methyl ester of 9a-fluoro-1 l ,B-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is converted as set forth in Example 26 to 430 mg of the butyl ester of 9a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid. m.p. 162164 C. [02],, 139 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 59 25.0 g l l [3,1701,21-trihydroxy-l,4-pregnadiene-3,2O- dione are converted as set forth in Example 57 (a to d) to 5,7 g of the methyl ester of l l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid.

EXAMPLE 60 5,7 g of the methyl ester of l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid are reacted with ethanol as set forth in Example 24 and 2,09 g of the ethyl ester of l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid are obtained. m.p. l88l89 C. [ct],, 175

(chloroform).

EXAMPLE 61 a. g of a-fluoro-l 18,2 l-dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-4- pregnene-3,20-dione are converted as set forth in Example 4(a) and a mixture of the butyl esters of 6afluoro-l lB,2O0z dihydroxy-3-0xo-16a-methyl-4- pregneneZ l-oic acid and 6a-fluoro-l 18,203,?- dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyl-4-pregnene-2 l -oic acid is obtained.

b. 15,3 g of the mixture of the butyl esters is reacted with manganese (1V) oxide under the conditions as set forth in example l(b) and 4,08 g of the butylic ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-4- pregnene-2l-oic acid is obtained. m.p. 188 C [0:] 176 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 62 a. 7,0 g 1 lB,21-dihydroxy-l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione are converted as set forth in Example 4(b) and a mixture of the butyl esters of 11 [3,2001- dihydroxy-3-oxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid and l 1B,20B-dihydroxy-3-oxo-l6oz-methyl-l,4- pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained.

b. 5,8 g of the mixture of the butyl esters is reacted with manganese (1V) oxide under the conditions as set forth in Example l(b) and 2,88 g of the butyl ester of l l,8-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4'pregnadiene-. 2l-oic acid is obtained. m.p. 150 C. [11],, 151 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 63 1,0 g of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-4-pregnene-2l-oic acid is hydrolysed under the conditions as set forth in Example 3. The crude product is recristallized from ethyl acetate at -30 C. and 453 mg of 6a-fiuoro-l 1 B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo-16a-methyl-4-pregnene-2l-oic acid are obtained. m.p. 206209C. [04 184 (pyridine).

EXAMPLE 64 390 mg of 6a-fluoro-l 1B-hydrox'y-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-l,4 pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid are dissolved in 50 ml methanol and mixed with 10 ml of an l/10 n NaOH solution in methanol. The mixture is then concentrated under vacuum and ml ether are added. The sodium salt is vacuum-filtered and dried under vacuum. Yield: 374 g of the sodium salt of 6a-fluoro-l l B-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxo-l6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid.

EXAMPLE 65 1,0 g of the methyl ester of 6a,llB-difluoro-9achlorol 6a-methyl-3,20-dioxo-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is hydrolysed under the conditions as set forth in Example 3. The crude product is recristallized from ethyl acetate. Yield: 380 mg of 601,1 lB-difluoro-9achloro-3 ,20-dioxo-16a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid. m.p. 270C. (decomposition). [04 154 (pyridine).

EXAMPLE 66 750 mg of the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro- 1 l B-hydroxy-3 ,20-di0xol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene- 21-oic acid is reacted with 30 m1 propanol and 50 mg of potassium tert.-butylate as described in Example 24. The crude product is recristallized from methylene chloride-diisopropyl ether and 351 mg of the propyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained.

-m.p. 167 C. [cr],, 107 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 67 1,0 g of the butyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-l 1B-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid is reacted as set forth in Example 43 with (i) menthol. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel with hexane-acetone, recristallized from methylene chloride-diisopropyl ether and 293 mg of the (i) menthyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l1B-hydr0xy-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is obtained m.p. l27-140 C. [01],, 1 16 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 68 1,0 g of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-11B-hydroxy- 3,20.-dioxol 6oz'methyll ,4-pregnadiene2 l -oic acid is reacted as set forth in Example 43 with R-menthol. The crude productis chromatographed on silica gel with hexane-acetone and recristallized from methylene chloride-diisopropyl ether. Yield: 522 mg of the R- menthyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 l l3-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid. m.p. 137 C. [04], 77 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 69 1,0 g of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid is dissolved in 20 ml toluene, 10 g lS)-bomeol and 100 mg potassium tert.-butylate are added and the mixture is heated to 110 C. for 20 hours. Then the reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum, the residue is dissolved in methylene chloride, the organic phase is washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and water and evaporated under vacuum. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel with hexaneacetone, recristallized from methylene chloriddiisopropyl ether and 464 mg of the lS)-borneyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l,8-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl'l,4-pregn-adiene-21-oic acid is obtained. m.p. 228 C. (decomposition). 109 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 70 1,0 g of the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxo-la-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is reacted with (i) isoborneol as set forth in Example 69. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel with hexane-acetone, recristallized from hexaneacetone and 98 mg of the (i) isoborneyl ester of 6afluoro- 1 l B-hydroxy-I: ,20-dioxo-1 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid is obtained. m.p. 219 (decomposition). [01],, 64 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 71 1,0 g of 6a-fluoro-1lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-l6oz- EXAMPLE 72 1,0 g of 6afluoro-l 1Bhydr0xy-3,20dioxo-l6amethyl-1,4-pregnadiene21-oic acid is dissolved in ml dimethylformamide, 0,7 g dimethyl-formamide dineopentylacetal and 1 ml ()(R)-2-butanol are added and the mixture is reacted as set forth in Example 71. The crude product is recristallized from methylene chloride-diisopropyl ether and 51 mg of the (S)-2- butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-l6amethyl-l,4pregnadiene2l-oic acid is obtained. m.p. 216 [11],, 1 18 (chloroform).

EXAMPLE 73 1,0 g of butyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo-l6a-methy1-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid is dissolved in 10 ml (+)(S)-2-octanol, 100 mg potassium tert.-butylate are added and the mixture is heated for 10 minutes to 90 C. Then the octano] is destilled off under vacuum, the residue is dissolved in methylene chloride, the organic phase is washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and water and the solvent is evaporated under vacuum. The crude product is chromatographed on silica gel with hexane-acetone, recristallized from methylene chloride-diisopropyl ether and 305 mg of the (S)-2-octyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 1B- hydr0xy-3,20dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 loic acid is obtained. m.p. 132 C. [11],, 127 (chloroform).

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically and specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

What is claimed is:

1. A pharmaceutical composition adapted for topical administration comprising an anti-inflammatory effective amount of a compound of the formula COOR wherein X is a hydrogen, halogen or methyl; Y is hydrogen or halogen; Z is hydroxy or halogen having an atomic weight no greater than Y; R is hydrogen or methyl; R is hydrogen, alkali-metal, or saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon of l-18 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by up to 3 of hydroxy, halo, alkoxy, carboxy, carbalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, nitro, sulfato and alkali-metal salts thereof wherein alkyl in each instance contains 1-4 carbon atoms; and -AB is CH=CH, CC1=CH, and when at least one of X, Y and R are other than hydrogen, CH Cl-l and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

2. A method for the topical treatment of an inflammation, which comprises applying to the surface of the inflamed area a composition according to claim 1.

3. A composition of claim 2 wherein R is alkyl of l12 carbon atoms.

4. A composition of claim 2 wherein X is fluoro.

5. A composition of claim 2 wherein Y is hydrogen.

6. A composition of claim 2 wherein Z is hydroxy.

7. A composition of claim 2 wherein AB- is CH=Cl-l-.

8. A composition of claim 2 wherein R is methyl.

9. A composition of claim 8 wherein --AB is -CH=Cl-l-.

10. A composition of claim 9 wherein X is fluoro and Z is hydroxy.

11. A composition of claim 10 wherein Y is hydrogen.

12. A composition of claim 10 wherein R is alkyl of l-8 carbon atoms.

13. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 lB-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol oz-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

14. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxola-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

15. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isopropyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1/3-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene2 l -oic acid.

16. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6oz-methyll ,4- pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid.

17. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the ethyl ester of 6a,9a-difluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

18. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l 1B- hydroxy-3,20dioxo-1owmethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21- oic acid.

19. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isobutyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-9a-chloro-l l [3- hydroxy-3 ,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 1- oic acid.

20. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isopentyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy'3,20- dioxo-l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.

21. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6afluoro-2-chloro-l l B-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol a-methyll ,4-pregnaidene-2 l-oic acid.

22. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the tert.-butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

23. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a,l lB-dichloro-3,20- dioxol 6oz-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

24. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 611,1 lB-difluoro-9a-chloro-3,20- dioxo-l6a-methyl-pregnadiene-pregnadiene-12 l-oic acid.

25. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the cyclohexyl ester of 1 l,B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 6a,] 6a-dimethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid.

26. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the ethyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene2 l -oic acid.

27. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 601,1 1B-difluoro-9a-chloro-3,20- dioxol 6oz-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

28. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the propyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l ,8-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo-l6a-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.

29. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the see-butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol oa-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

30. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the pentyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-l l ,B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo-l60z-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-2l-oic acid.

31. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isobutyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l Bhydroxy-3,20- dioxo-l 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

32. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6afluoro-9oe,l l B-dichloro-3,20- dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid.

33. A composition of claim 2- wherein the compound is the decyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l lB-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.

34. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6a-fluoro-9a-chloro-l 1Bhydroxy 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

35. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2-propenyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l B-hydroXy-3,20- dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid.

36. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2-methoxyethyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l ,B-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid.

37. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6a,9a-difluoro-1 1 B-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

38. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6a,9a-difluoro-I lB-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo-l6oz-methyl-l,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.

39. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the octyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l,8-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 6a-methyl-1,3-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid.

40. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2-propynyl ester of oa-fluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxo- 1 6a'methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid.

41. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the benzyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l ,B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

42. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2'-methylbutyl ester of 6a-fluorol lB-hydroxy- 3,20-dioxo-l6a-methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.

43. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 3-hydroxypropyl ester of 6oz-fluoro-1 1B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-l 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l oic acid.

44. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the menthyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l 1B- hydroxy-3 ,ZO-dioxol a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-21- oic acid.

45. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the hexyl ester of 6a-fluoro-1 l,B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid.

46. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the cyclohexyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l ,B'hydroxy-3,20- dioxol 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

47. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l 1B- hydroxy-3,20-dioxol 6a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 loic acid.

48. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the cyclopropyl-methyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l IB- hydroxy-3,20-dioxo- 1 6a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l oic acid.

49. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 9a-fluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol oa-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

50. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 9a-fluoro-l l ,B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxoloa-methyl- 1 ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid.

51. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of l lB hydroxy-3,20-dioxol ,4- pregnadiene-Z l -oic acid.

52. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the ethyl ester ofl 1,8-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-l ,4-pregnadiene-Zl-oic acid.

53. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6a-fluorol l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxol6a-methyl-4-pregnene-2 l -oic acid.

54. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of l l B-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16amethyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

55. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is 6a-fluoro-l l,8-hydroxy-3,20-dioxo l 6a-methyl-4- pregnene-Zl-oic acid.

56. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the sodium salt of 6a-fluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

57. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is 601,1 1 B-difluoro-9a-chloro-3,20-dioxol a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 1 -oic acid.

58. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the propyl ester of 6a-fluoro-2-chloro-l lB-hydroxy- 3 ,20-dioxol a-methyll ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

59. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the menthyl ester of 6a-fluoro-l l B-hydroxy-3,20- dioxol oa-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l -oic acid.

60. A composition of claini 2 wherein the compound dioxo- 1 a-methyl-l ,4-pregnadiene-2 l-oic acid. 

1. A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION ADAPTED FOR TOPICAL ADMINISTRATION COMPRISING AN ANTI-INFLAMMATROY EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. A method for the topical treatment of an inflammation, which comprises applying to the surface of the inflamed area a composition according to claim
 1. 3. A composition of claim 2 wherein R2 is alkyl of 1-12 carbon atoms.
 4. A composition of claim 2 wherein X is fluoro.
 5. A composition of claim 2 wherein Y is hydrogen.
 6. A composition of claim 2 wherein Z is hydroxy.
 7. A composition of claim 2 wherein -A-B- is -CH CH-.
 8. A composition of claim 2 wherein R1 is methyl.
 9. A composition of claim 8 wherein -A-B- is -CH CH-.
 10. A composition of claim 9 wherein X is fluoro and Z is hydroxy.
 11. A composition of claim 10 wherein Y is hydrogen.
 12. A composition of claim 10 wherein R2 is alkyl of 1-8 carbon atoms.
 13. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound Is the methyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 14. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 15. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isopropyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 16. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 17. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the ethyl ester of 6 Alpha ,9 Alpha -difluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 18. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-9 Alpha -chloro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 19. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isobutyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-9 Alpha -chloro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 20. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isopentyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 21. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-2-chloro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnaidene-21-oic acid.
 22. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the tert.-butyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 23. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-9 Alpha ,11 Beta -dichloro-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 24. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6 Alpha ,11 Beta -difluoro-9 Alpha -chloro-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl--pregnadiene--pregnadiene121-oic acid.
 25. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the cyclohexyl ester of 11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-6 Alpha ,16 Alpha -dimethyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 26. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the ethyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 27. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6 Alpha ,11 Beta -difluoro-9 Alpha -chloro-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 28. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the propyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 29. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the sec.-butyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 30. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the pentyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 31. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isobutyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 32. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-9 Alpha ,11 Beta -dichloro-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 33. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the decyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 34. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-9 Alpha -chloro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 35. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2''-propenyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 36. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2''-methoxyethyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 37. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 6 Alpha ,9 Alpha -difluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 38. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6 Alpha ,9 Alpha -difluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 39. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the octyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,3-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 40. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2''-propynyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 41. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the benzyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 42. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2''-methylbutyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 43. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 3''-hydroxypropyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 44. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the menthyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-2-chloro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 45. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the hexyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 46. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the cyclohexyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 47. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2,2-dimethyl-propyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 48. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the cyclopropyl-methyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3, 20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 49. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 9 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 50. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 9 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 51. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the methyl ester of 11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 52. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the ethyl ester of 11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 53. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the butyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-4-pregnene-21-oic acid.
 54. A composition of claim 2 wherein tHe compound is the butyl ester of 11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 55. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-4-pregnene-21-oic acid.
 56. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the sodium salt of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 57. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is 6 Alpha , 11 Beta -difluoro-9 Alpha -chloro-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1, 4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 58. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the propyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-2-chloro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 59. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the menthyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 60. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the borneyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 61. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the isoborneyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 62. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2-butyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid.
 63. A composition of claim 2 wherein the compound is the 2-octyl ester of 6 Alpha -fluoro-11 Beta -hydroxy-3,20-dioxo-16 Alpha -methyl-1,4-pregnadiene-21-oic acid. 